Door assembly for a fluid handling system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a door assembly with a door component that can open and close in response to pressure of fluids that flow in a fluid handling system. These embodiments utilize elements to seat and lock the door in position without the need for manual intervention and/or interaction, e.g., by a technician and/or maintenance personnel. However, these elements do not need to support the weight of the door and, thus, provide a more robust and cost effective design to achieve automated and reliable operation necessary for use in fluid handling systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to fluid handling systems and, in particular, to door assemblies that operate in response to changes in pressure of a fluid that flows in the fluid handling system.

Examples of fluid handling systems include power generating systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and the like. These systems include door assemblies with a door that opens and closes to regulate fluid flow into the system. Fluid that flows through the door assemblies by-passes parts of the fluid handling system, i.e., the door assemblies are downstream of air filters and other treatment components. During operation, the door can open to allow fluid into the fluid handling system in response to failure conditions (e.g., clogged and/or blocked air filters). This feature can prevent damage to components of the system and/or allow the system to continue to operate until technicians perform appropriate maintenance.

The door opens automatically in most designs, e.g., in response to a pressure differential. Negative pressure inside of the fluid handling system, for example, pulls the door open in some applications. On the other hand, closing and re-setting of the door to prepare the fluid handling system for normal operation often requires manual intervention. This requirement can place maintenance personnel in danger, as well as to require construction of the fluid handling system for technicians to have access to the door assemblies to perform the necessary steps to close and re-set the door.

Improvements in designs for the door assemblies introduce features that reduce and/or eliminate manual intervention. These designs may incorporate, for example, counter-balances with weights that bias the door to its closed position. Unfortunately, counter-balanced doors may not provide reliable seating of the door and, thus, are prone to leaking. Other designs integrate actuators (e.g., compressed air cylinders) into the door assembly to both open and close the door. However, although the positive actuation can eliminate leaking by securely and repeatedly seating the door in its closed position, these designs require air pressure (or other actuation force) to manipulate the weight of the door open and to effectively keep the door closed.

The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure describes embodiments of a door assembly with a door that can open and close in response to pressure of fluids that flow in a fluid handling system. These embodiments can seat and lock the door in position without the need for manual intervention and/or interaction, e.g., by a technician and/or maintenance personnel. As discussed more below, these embodiments utilize elements that can position and latch the door in the closed position. However, these elements do not need to support the weight of the door and, thus, provide a more robust and cost effective design to achieve automated and reliable operation necessary for use in fluid handling systems.

This disclosure describes, in one embodiment, a door assembly that has a door component with a pivot axis that permits the door component to move between a first position and a second position. The door component has a bottom portion with an engagement feature extending generally downwardly from the door component. The door assembly also has a reset component with a latch component that engages the engagement feature in the first position and a grabber element having at least one orientation that biases the door component toward the first position.

This disclosure also describes, in one embodiment, a closure assembly for a blow-in door on a fluid handling system. The closure assembly has a plurality of actuators including a first actuator and a second actuator. The closure assembly also has a grabber element coupled to the first actuator. The grabber element has a first orientation and a second orientation that is radially offset from the first orientation relative to the blow-in door. The closure assembly also has a lever element coupled to the second actuator and a latch element engaging the lever element. In one example, the lever element moves in response to the second actuator to change the position of the latch element from a latched position that engages the blow-in door to an unlatched position that permits the blow-in door to move from a first position to a second position that is different from the first position.

This disclosure further describes, in one embodiment, a method of operating a closure assembly for a blow-in door. The method includes a step for receiving a first signal indicating a position of the blow-in door. The method also includes a step generating a first output in response to the first signal that contains instructions to move a grabber element from a first orientation to a second orientation. In one example, the second orientation biases the blow-in door toward a closed position.

This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a door assembly for use on a fluid handling systems;

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a fluid handling system that includes the door assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a door assembly;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the door assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts a detail view that shows a side, cross-section of the top of the door assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 depicts a detail view that shows a side, cross-section of the bottom of the door assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 depicts a back, perspective view of the door assembly of FIG. 3 to illustrate details of an exemplary closure assembly;

FIG. 8 depicts a back view of the door assembly of FIG. 3 to illustrate details of an exemplary latch component in an unlatched position;

FIG. 9 depicts a back view of the door assembly of FIG. 3 to illustrate details of the exemplary latch component in a latched position;

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of the door assembly of FIG. 3 to illustrate details of an exemplary reset component in a first orientation;

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of the door assembly of FIG. 3 to illustrate details of an exemplary reset component in a second orientation; and

FIG. 12 depicts a flow diagram of a method of operating a door assembly for use on a fluid handling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a door assembly 100 with features that afford repeatable and secure closure. In FIG. 1, the door assembly 100 includes a door component 102 with one or more pivot axes (e.g., a first pivot axis 104). The door assembly 100 also includes a heating component 106. The door assembly 100 further includes a closure assembly 108 with components that interface with the door component 102. These components include a latch component 110, a reset component 112, and a sensor component 114.

As set forth more below, the latch component 110 and the reset component 112 interact with the door component 102. Operation of the latch component 110 regulates movement of the door component 102, e.g., to prevent movement of the door component 102 from a first position (or closed position) to a second position (or open position). Examples of the reset component 112 help position the door component 102 in the first position. This feature can improve reliability of the door assembly 100 to reach the closed position. For example, operation of the reset component 112 can position the door component 102 in a manner that enables repeated engagement of the latch component 110 with the door component 102. In one example, the sensor component 114 monitors the position of one or more components (e.g., the door component 102, the latch component 110, and/or the reset component 112) of the door assembly 100. This feature can prevent damage, e.g., by preventing operation of the latch component 110 and/or the reset component 112 if the door component 102 is not in the appropriate position.

FIG. 2 shows the door assembly 100 as part of a fluid handling system 116, e.g., found on boats, watercraft, and similar vessels. The fluid handling system 116 has an inlet 118 and an outlet 120 that permits airflow (e.g., inlet airflow 122 and outlet airflow 124) to enter and exit the system 116. The fluid handling system 116 also has an air filtration component 126, a turbine 128, and ducting 130 that directs air from the air filtration component 126 to the turbine 128. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the door assembly 100 mounts to the ducting 130 in a position that is downstream of the air filtration component 126 and upstream of the turbine 128. The door assembly 100 couples with one or more supplies (e.g., a power supply 132 and an air supply 134) and a control unit 136. In one example, the power generating system 116 also includes a condition sensing component 138. Examples of the condition sensing component 138 can include pressure sensors and switches, thermocouples, and like devices that are sensitive to changes in fluid conditions (e.g., pressure, velocity, humidity, etc.) in the interior of the ducting 130.

During one exemplary operation, the control unit 136 can receive one or more signals from the condition sensing component 138. These signals can contain data that relate to a value for one (or more of) the fluid conditions in the interior of the ducting 130. The control unit 136 can compare this value to a threshold criteria. If the values deviate from the threshold criteria, the control unit 136 can generate an output that instructs operation of the latch component 110 (FIG. 1). The output may, for example, instruct the latch component 110 (FIG. 1) to operate to allow the door to open, e.g., in response to decreasing pressure of the fluid the flows in the interior of the ducting 130. The loss of pressure may coincide with a failure condition (e.g., clogging and/or damage to the air filtration component 126). Continued operation of the turbine 128 during the failure condition will reduce the pressure of the fluid to cause the door component 102 to open. Fluid enters the ducting 120 via the opening, thus allowing the turbine 128 to continue operation, e.g., until technicians arrive to shut down the turbine 128 and provide repair and maintenance as required. This configuration avoids immediate shutdown of the turbine 128, which can prevent operation of essential features (e.g., navigation features) on board a vessel.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a door assembly that can regulate the flow of fluid into the fluid handling system 216. Turning first to the side view of FIG. 3, the door component 202 has a body 240 with a top 242 and a bottom 244. At the top 242, the door assembly 200 includes a hinge 246 that secures the body 240 with a wall 248 of the ducting 230. The hinge 246 allows the body 240 to rotate (and/or “swing”) from a first position 250 to a second position, generally shown in phantom lines and designated by the numeral 252. Rotation of the door component 202 exposes the interior (e.g., interior 254) of the ducting 230 to the exterior (e.g., exterior 256) of the ducting 230. During operation of the fluid handling system 216, this feature allows fluid flow F to develop in response to changes in pressure, e.g., from a first pressure to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The change in pressure effectively causes the door to move from the first position 250 to the second position 252.

As best shown in the front view of FIG. 4, the hinge 246 can include one or more hinge mounting brackets (e.g., a first hinge mounting bracket 258 and a second hinge mounting bracket 260). A hinge rod 262 (also, “axle 262”) extends between the hinge mounting brackets 258, 260. This configuration of the hinge 246 provides at least one degree of freedom for the door component 202 to move, e.g., between first position 250 and second position 252 of FIG. 3. In one example, the heating component 206 includes one or more heating elements (e.g., a first heating element 264) that provide thermal energy about the periphery of the door component 202 and the closure assembly (e.g., closure assembly 108 of FIG. 1). Examples of the heating element 264 include heating cables and/or filaments that generate thermal energy in response to electrical stimulation.

FIGS. 5 and 6 provide side, cross-section views of, respectively, the top 242 (FIG. 5) and the bottom 244 (FIG. 6) of the door component 202 to illustrate one construction for the door assembly 200. In the example of FIG. 5, the door assembly 200 has an angled portion 266 near the top 242 of the door component 202. The angled portion 266 extends from the wall 248 into the interior 254 of the ducting 230. The door assembly 200 also includes a bracket element 268 that also extends from the wall 248 proximate the angled portion 268. The position of the bracket element 268 with respect to the angled portion 266 can form a gap that bounds at least part of the first heating element 264. The door assembly 200 also includes a peripheral door seal 270 that mounts to the angled portion 266. Examples of the peripheral door seal 270 can comprise compressible material (e.g., neoprene) that compresses to seal the periphery of the door component 202 with the angled portion 266. This seal can prevent fluid from the exterior 256 of the ducting 230 from entering the interior 254 of the ducting 230 when the door component 202 is in the first position 250, e.g., when the door component 202 is closed.

In FIG. 6, the door assembly 200 can include one or more cover components (e.g., an exterior cover 272 and an interior cover 274). The cover components 272, 274 can form a volume that surrounds the components of the closure assembly 208. In one example, the door assembly 200 can include a gasket element 276, which is in position to seal the exterior cover 272. This configuration of the cover components 272, 274 and the gasket element 276 protect the closure assembly 208, preventing dirt and debris from entering in proximity of the moving components found therein. These configurations can also prevent injuries, e.g., that may result from the actuating component contemplated herein. Examples of the cover components can comprise a variety of (metals, plastics, and/or composites) that have material properties (e.g., strength, hardness, etc.) suitable for the application. The door assembly 200 may utilize fasteners (e.g., screws and bolts) that secure the cover components 272, 274 in position. These fasteners also permit ready access to the interior of the cover to service, repair, and/or replace components of the closure assembly 208, as necessary.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the door assembly 200 with several components (e.g., the interior cover 274 of FIG. 6) to describe additional details and exemplary construction of the closure assembly 208. The door assembly 200 includes actuators (e.g., a first actuator 278 and a second actuator 280), valves (e.g., a first valve 282 and a second valve 284), and sensors (e.g., a first sensor 286, a second sensor 288, a third sensor 290, and a fourth sensor 292). In one example, the door assembly 200 can include a grabber element 294 that couples with the second actuator 278.

Examples of the actuator 278, 280 include pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, and electric actuators. These types of actuators can afford the closure assembly 208 with various degrees of freedom and/or motion (e.g., linear translation, rotation, and combinations thereof). In the present example, the first actuator 278 and the second actuator 280 provide, respectively, linear translation and rotation. This disclosure does, however, contemplate other devices for use as the actuator that can provide different motion.

Sensor for use as sensors 286, 288, 290, 292 can generate outputs that indicate positions of one or more components of the closure assembly 208. These sensors include proximity sensors, although other types of sensors and switches that can indicate position are also considered to be useful for implementation as part of the door assembly 200. For pneumatic applications, the valves 282, 284 can incorporate solenoids, with rapid activation to regulate a working fluid that operates the actuators 278, 280.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate detail views of the door assembly 200 to focus the discussion on the closure assembly 208 and, in particular, to illustrate operation of the latch component 210 and the reset component 212. In FIG. 8, the door assembly 200 includes a latch element 295 and a lever element 296 that couples with the first actuator 278. A spring element 297 generates a spring force on the latch element 296. The spring force causes the lever element 296 to move, e.g., to translate from an unlatched position (shown in FIG. 8) to a latched position that engages an engagement feature 298 of the door component 202. FIG. 9 shows the latch element 296 in the latched position. In one implementation, the latch element 295 engages an engagement feature 298 of the door component 202. This engagement can prevent the door from opening unless the latch element 295 is moved to the unlatched position (FIG. 8). When in the latched position secures the door component 202 in the closed position, thus preventing (or minimizing) further fluid flow from the exterior of the ducting to the interior of the ducting.

Construction of the latch element 295 can create sufficient clearance with the lever element 296 to allow the door 202 to close when the latch element 295 is in the latched position. In one example, the latch element 295 can have rounded and/or beveled features that the engagement feature 298 contacts as the door swings down to the closed position. In this manner, contact between the engagement feature 298 and the latch element 295 pushes the latch element 295 downward, compressing the spring element 297. When the engagement feature 298 clears the latch element 295, i.e., reaches and/or is proximate the closed position, the spring force will return the latch element to the latched position (FIG. 9).

Sensors 290, 292 can monitor the position of the door component 202 and the latch element 295. For example, the fourth sensor 292 (also “latch sensor 292”) generates an output to identify the position of the latch element 295 in the latched position. The third sensor 290 generates an output to identify the position of the door 202, e.g., to reflect that the door is proximate the closed position. To allow the door component 202 to open, the control unit can utilize these outputs to instruct the first actuator 278 to actuate to move the lever element 296 against the latch element 295, which causes the latch element 295 to retract past the end of the engagement feature 298. When the door component 202 moves from the closed position, the control unit can instruct the first actuator 278 to actuate to allow the lever element 296 to return to the latched position. During one implementation, the control unit can verify that the latch element 295 is in the latched position prior to operation of other components, e.g., the reset component 212, as discussed below.

FIGS. 10 and 11 shows one exemplary operation of the reset component 212 to ensure the door component 202 properly closes before the latch element 296 moves from the unlatched position to the latch position. In the example of FIG. 10, the grabber element 294 is in a first orientation that allows the engagement feature 298 and/or the door component 202 to traverse from the second position 252 into a position proximate the closure assembly 208 (FIG. 7). FIG. 11 shows the grabber element 294 in a second orientation that corresponds to the first position 250, or closed position, of the door component 202.

In one implementation, the first sensor 286 monitors the presence of the grabber element 294. This feature can prevent inadvertent contact between the door component 202 and the grabber element 294. For example, the first sensor 286 can generate an output that indicates that the grabber element 294 is not in the first orientation. The control unit can utilize this output to instruct the second actuator 280 to actuate to change the orientation of the grabber element 294, e.g., until the first sensor 286 indicates that the grabber element 294 is in the first orientation. The second sensor 288 can generate an output that indicates the presence of the engagement feature 298 and/or the door component 202. The control unit can utilize this output to instruct the second actuator 280 to actuator to change the orientation of the grabber element 294 from the first orientation (FIG. 10) to the second orientation (FIG. 11). As the grabber element 294 transits from the first orientation (FIG. 10) to the second orientation (FIG. 11), the grabber element 294 engages the engagement feature 298, thereby causing the door component 202 to move towards the closed position. In one example, the third sensor 290 can generate an output that indicates that the door component 202 is proximate the closed position.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 300 for controlling operation of a blow-in door on a fluid handling system. The method 300 includes, at step 302, receiving a first signal indicating a position of the blow-in door and, at step 304, generating a first output in response to the first signal that contains instructions to move a grabber element from a first orientation to a second orientation. The method 300 also includes, at step 306, receiving a signal indicating a value for a fluid property and, at step 308, comparing the value to a threshold criteria. If the value matches the threshold criteria, the method 300 continues back to step 306. On the other hand, if the value deviates from the threshold criteria (i.e., is less than and/or greater than the threshold criteria), then the method 300 continues, at step 310, generating the second output if the value deviates from the threshold criteria.

The first signal can arise from one or more sensors (e.g., sensors 286, 288, 290, 292 of FIG. 7). These sensors can identify the position of the components of the closure assembly. Implementations of the method 300 can also utilize sensors (e.g., condition sensing component 138 of FIG. 2) that monitor conditions (e.g., pressure and/or pressure differentials) in the fluid handling system. In one example, the method 300 may further include receiving a second signal and a third signal that identifies, respectively, the orientation of a grabber element (e.g., grabber element 294 of FIGS. 10 and 11).

As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A door assembly, comprising: a door component with a pivot axis that permits the door component to move between a first position and a second position, the door component having a bottom portion with an engagement feature extending generally downwardly from the door component; and a reset component comprising a latch component that engages the engagement feature in the first position and a grabber element having at least one orientation that biases the door component toward the first position.
 2. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch component comprises a latch element and a spring element secured to the latch element, wherein the spring element generates a spring force on the latch element to move the latch element from an unlatched position to a latched position that engages the engagement feature in the first position.
 3. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor component that monitors the orientation of the grabber element.
 4. The door assembly of claim 3, wherein the sensor component comprises a first sensor and a second sensor that correspond to a first orientation and a second orientation for the grabber element.
 5. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a heating element disposed about the periphery of the door component.
 6. The door assembly of claim 5, wherein the heating element generates heat in response to electrical stimulation.
 7. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic actuator coupled to the grabber element, wherein actuation of the pneumatic actuator rotates the grabber element to the least one orientation.
 8. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is located at a top of the door component.
 9. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a peripheral seal, wherein the door component compresses the peripheral door seal in the first position.
 10. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more cover components that form a volume that surround the reset component.
 11. A closure assembly for a blow-in door on a fluid handling system, a plurality of actuators comprising a first actuator and a second actuator; a grabber element coupled to the first actuator, the grabber element having a first orientation and a second orientation that is radially offset from the first orientation relative to the blow-in door; a lever element coupled to the second actuator; and a latch element engaging the lever element, wherein the lever element moves in response to the second actuator to change the position of the latch element from a latched position that engages the blow-in door to an unlatched position that permits the blow-in door to move from a first position to a second position that is different from the first position.
 12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise a pneumatic cylinder.
 13. The closure of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of sensors comprising a first sensor proximate the grabber element in the first orientation and a second sensor proximate the grabber element in the second orientation.
 14. The closure of claim 13, further comprising a second sensor proximate the latch element in the latched position.
 15. The closure of claim 11, further comprising a first solenoid valve coupled with the first actuator and a second solenoid valve coupled with the second actuator.
 16. A method of operating a closure assembly for a blow-in door, comprising receiving a first signal indicating a position of the blow-in door; generating a first output in response to the first signal that contains instructions to move a grabber element from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation biases the blow-in door toward a closed position.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a second signal indicating the first orientation of the grabber element and receiving a third signal indicating the second orientation of the grabber element.
 18. The method of claim 16, generating a second output that contains instructions to move a latch element from a latched position to an unlatched position that permits the blow-in door to move from the first position to a second position that is different from the first position.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving a signal indicating a value for a fluid property; comparing the value to a threshold criteria; and generating the second output if the value deviates from the threshold criteria.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the threshold criteria defines a pressure differential. 